Mr. Hoffman let out a quiet, almost amused chuckle. "Ms. Kensington, when did you find out that ir was actually Mr. Wentworth''s?"


    "Not long ago," Briony replied, anxiety flickering in her eyes. "Mr. Hoffman, has Stewart gone to find Ferdinand?"


    "He meant to," Mr. Hoffman answered, his tone candid. "But he hasn''t left yet. There are some things he needs to take care of first. Once he''s finished, he''ll go."


    His honesty was disarming, and Briony understood immediately.


    "You want me to stop him, don''t you?"


    Mr. Hoffman regarded the woman before him, a hint of admiration in his gaze. "Ms. Kensington, it''s no wonder Mr. Seven holds you in such high esteem. You''re smart-and remarkablyposed."


    "If I had a choice," Briony murmured, her eyes growing misty, "I wish I''d never met any of them."


    Her voice trembled as she continued. "That night, after I left the police station, I saved Ferdinand by chance. On my way home, lost in thought, I crossed the street at a red light and Stewart''s car clipped me. He took me to the hospital. While we were there, he offered me his card and talked aboutpensation. I saw he was awyer, and I thought maybe we could work together... make a deal."


    Mr. Hoffman sighed, a deep, knowing sound. "Maybe it''s just fate."


    "These two-half-brothers-both crossed my path that very same night."


    Briony''s voice was calm, echoing softly in the quiet room. Mr. Hoffman listened in silence.


    "If this is my fate, then so be it." She drew a shaky breath. "I''ll go back to Ferdinand myself. Mr. Hoffman, please... keep Stewart froming after me."


    "I''d rather die," she said, her voice steady, "than let him betray his mission or his people because of me. I want him to see his duty through to the end. When it''s all over, I hope he''ll give our children all the love he has left."


    Her poor children had never truly known what a whole family felt like.


    This was Briony''s life-her lot, her burden. And she was tired. Bone-tired.


    If Ferdinand''s survival meant a threat to her children, then she would end it with him herself.


    This was life-nothing more, nothing less.


    If she couldn''t choose how to live freely, she would at least fight one more time for her children''s safety.


    At the very least, after she was gone, she wanted her children to live in peace- healthy and safe.


    The next morning, Stewart was preparing to leave.


    Mr. Hoffman insisted on seeing him off in person.


    Before he left, Stewart went to see Briony onest time.


    He pushed open the door and stepped inside.


    Briony was sitting on the bed. At the sound of his footsteps, she turned her head toward him.


    "You''re here," she said quietly, no longer calling him ir.


    If he''d been paying attention, he might have noticed something different about her today.


    But Stewart''s thoughts were a tangled mess, his emotions running wild beneath a calm surface.


    This farewell felt final, and the


    thought of never seeing her again et


    ached inside him. Still, he forced


    f to act normal.


    "How are you feeling today?"


    "I''m fine," Briony answered softly. "Last night, dreamed about our two children. They both love their father very much, and after being reunited with him, they were so happy. Their father adored them too. I


    thought-what a perfect ending that would be."


    Stewart froze, stunned by her words.


    Briony smiled gently. "It was a beautiful dream. I hope ites true."


    That day, Stewart was so


    overwhelmed by her sudden


    eptance and kindness that


    him &


    left


    reeling, his thoughts scattered.


    He never noticed the quiet determination hidden in her calm gaze.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!